Microstructure of Conductive Binder Domain for Electrical Conduction in Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries

The purpose of this work is to investigate the structure and mechanism of long-range electronic contacts which are formed by wet mixing and their interaction and relationship with the structure responsible for ion transfer within the conductive binder domain of next-generation LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 lithium-ion batteries. This article introduces a novel concept involving an efficient adapted structure model, which includes a bridge structure with two "nested" small and large pore systems, and an effective electrode conduction mechanism involving two "nested" percolation systems. The article also highlights a limitation in the improvement of the battery performance by percolation systems for electron transfer, which is restricted by pore systems for ion transfer through the ratio of electrical conductivity (sigma) and ionic conductivity (kappa) as sigma/kappa=10. The findings of this article may provide valuable insight for formulation design and manufacturing of an optimal structure of the conductive binder domain for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.